Part 8 (1/2)

I didnt even breathe heavily. It was easy, I bragged.

Once Layla was settled under the covers, she took another pain pill.

I finished drying off and threw on a pair of cut-off sweats. I took the gla.s.s from her hand and set it on the nightstand. Night, babe.

She reached for my arm. Where are you going?

Ill be in the other room. If you need anything, just yell. Ill hear you. I put my hand on top of hers.

She didnt loosen her grip. You could sleep here. She cut her eyes to the other side of the bed. If Im on your side, I can move over.

You want me to sleep with you?

She nodded slowly. Yeah.

I dont want to b.u.mp you or hurt you in the night. Are you sure? I wanted to give her an out.

Her gaze locked with mine. Please.

Give me a minute to check the doors and the alarm, and then Ill be in. I gave her hand a squeeze. It didnt matter that I wasnt sleepy, I wasnt about to say no to her request.

She nodded and relaxed into her pillows.

I took care of the security measures, and then turned off the bedroom lights. I climbed carefully into my bed.

Forde? Her voice was soft.

Right here, Lay. I moved closer to hear her and to be near her.

Thank you for all of this.

I moved in so that I was close but I wasnt touching her. I like taking care of you. Thank you for letting me.

She was quiet for a bit, and I thought she was asleep. But then, I mean, thank you for keeping me safe.

Some might say I havent done a real good job. I moved my hand lower to stroke her upper thigh.

I feel safe with you. Maybe, for the first time in my life, I dont have to be on guard. Her words were a little slurred from the pills and the physical exertion.

I continued stroking her thigh, making circles with my fingertips then switching to a long slide. Weve both spent most of our lives looking out for ourselves. Sometimes, its nice to give that responsibility to somebody else for a little bit. Let them help you. It doesnt make you weak. It takes a lot of strength to trust somebody that much.

I felt her body start to shake. She was crying. My chest tightened. I didnt mean to upset her.

I was so scared, Forde. I didnt know what was happening, and I froze for what felt like forever.

You did the right thing, Lay. Freezing is instinctive. Youve never been shot at before, but you did everything exactly right. I wanted to pull her to my chest, but I knew it would be excruciating. I could only continue to stroke her thigh.

I dont know what made me think to go down into the bas.e.m.e.nt. I knew that it would be a good place to hide.

When youre ready, Ill go over more things with you so that youll always be prepared. Were going to keep you safe Layla, I promise. I kissed her shoulder.

Chapter Eleven.

I heard a phone buzzing. I was still half asleep, but I knew it wasnt a dream. I felt the mattress dip as Forde moved.

Forde. He sounded alert even though I knew hed been asleep.

I half listened as I took inventory of my body this morning. I wanted to feel better. I didnt want Forde to have to sit with me another day. I couldnt picture him lazing in bed on a Sunday morning. I bet he only spent extra time in bed being busy, and we werent going to be doing that. Although in the shower, Id wanted him to touch me. Id yearned to feel his thick fingers inside of me, stroking and stretching me. I s.h.i.+fted to my back and let out a sigh as I studied Lucas Forde.

He had his back to me and was sitting up. It was wide and thick, slightly tapering to his waist. His skin was darker than mine, like he had a perpetual tan. His hair was longer than I was used to and there was just the hint of wave to it. I wondered what he would look like if he pulled it back into a short tail. He was speaking softly into the phone.

I twisted my hips and stretched my leg over until my foot could stroke his thigh. He captured my foot with his hand and glanced over his shoulder. I gave him a good morning smile. He released my foot, s.h.i.+fted, and laid back onto the mattress beside me, rolling onto his side, facing me.

Shes still sleeping. Ill give you a call after she gets up, Forde told the caller.

I watched him as he listened to the response.

The muscle at the side of his jaw flexed. No, well come to you. Take it or leave it. He ended the call.

I didnt say anything. I just waited to see what that call had been about.

He dropped the phone behind his hip. Sorry about that.

You dont have to apologize. My voice in the morning was always a little raspy.

I get calls at all hours, he said, waving the phone. Is that going to be a problem for you?

As long as the calls arent coming from ex-girlfriends, I dont care. I poked him with my foot again. I guess in your line of work, its twenty-four seven.

Our, he answered.

What?

Our line of work, and yes, it can be twenty-four seven.

My gaze met his, and I felt something warm and melty in my stomach. Are you always so certain of your decisions? I liked that hed included me.

If I tell you yes, will it stop you from questioning me? Now, he was smiling, and Fordes smile was mesmerizing.

Maybe. He scrambled my brain. I gave my head a little shake, hoping to clear it. Was that call about me?

Yeah, Detective Eames wants to interview you about the other night. I dont want him here, so if you feel up to it, well go to the station.

I didnt have good memories of the police station. Id spent way too much time there. The interview rooms were cold and smelled, plus the coffee sucked. I dont have anything to wear.